“Congratulations, Mom.” I hand him over to her eager arms. I’m crouched on the floor in sweats and a T-shirt, scooting closer.
I hug her, kiss her hair, forehead, and cheek. I’m beside myself, and I don’t care.
In place of death, Nola has brought me life for the second time. I sat in an emotional jail for years, disgusted and hating myself. This woman freed me from the heaviest of burdens. I still felt guilt, but alongside her and through therapy, we’re making it work.
Nola makes life perfect. What more could a man ask for?
“Conrad.” Nola’s eyes are drowning in tears, bracing him to her naked chest, flourishing him with kisses of her own.
Five months after we exchanged the first I love yous, I proposed to Nola. Forty-three lurked just around the corner, and with both of us madly in love, there was no actual use in waiting.
Besides making me the happiest man in the world and marrying me, my valiant bride received the grant for her business, fair and square. Her shop, We Love You, took up fast. It has this young, vibrant, and caring feel to it, like only she could give it.
Clients of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and income levels like she intended flock to the shop. It gives me so much damn pride calling this woman my wife.
It gives equal levels of joy to call her the mother of my child, even before we laid eyes on our baby.When we found out we were pregnant, Nola collapsed into me in a hug. She said what only a caring, compassionate woman like her could, If it’s a girl, we’ll name her Connie, if it’s a boy, Conrad.
I’m the luckiest fucker in the world.
“Conrad, my baby.” She cradles him, rocking him gently. Her motherly instincts blossom before my eyes, and it’s fucking magic. “Mom and Dad love you so much, you know that?”
He answers her with a loud cry, his cute eyes squeezed tight.
Her gaze wanders to me, briefly. “Do you think that’s a yes, Daddy?”
“I do.” I kiss her one last time before we go back to the real world. “But in case he ever forgets, we’ll remind him every day.”
“Yes, we will.” Her eyes glimmer, a wave of fresh tears of elation decorating them. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, my wife. Always.”
